Government to set up 3,000 liquor shops by Oct

Guntur: Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Excise K Narayanaswamy stated that the government will reduce liquor shopsand implement total prohibition in a phased manner. He conducted a review meeting with the Excise department officials in Guntur on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion,he said that as a part of this programme,the government has already set up 450 liquor shops in the state and will set up the remaining 3,000 liquor shops in October.

He said, though the government is losing revenue on liquor sales, it is implementing the total prohibition to keep its election promise. He sought the cooperation of the all the political parties and media for successfully implementing total prohibition.

Narayanaswamy felt that if the number of liquor shops are reduced, liquor sales will come down and the poor will save money. Replying to a question,he said, during the first phase, they have reduced 20% of liquor shops in the state.

Referring to implementation welfare schemes,he saidthe government has already announced a schedule for implementation of welfare schemes in the first 100 days. He expressed confidence that the government will keep its election promises and recalled that for the first time, the government decided to set up separate corporations for Malas and Madigas.

He announced that the government will give Rs.10,000 financial assistance to auto drivers soon. Home Minister Mekathoti Sucharita, MLA Kasu Mahesh Reddy,Ambati Rambabu, Bolla Brahma Naidu and Mustafa were among those participated.